Wyong Shire is located in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, north of Sydney. Wyong Shire’s administrative centre is located in the town of Wyong, and the Council maintains service and information centres at The Entrance, Tuggerah and at Lakehaven Shopping Centre. The Council and the City of Gosford control the Gosford/Wyong Councils’ Water Authority, which operates the Mangrove Creek Dam.

Wyong Shire is located around the coastal lake system of Tuggerah Lake, Budgewoi Lake and Lake Munmorah. It includes a coastal strip from Bateau Bay to Budgewoi, some lakeside towns and residential areas, some inland towns on the coastal plain and a sparsely populated region to the west with some rural townships (Yarramalong, Dooralong, Jilliby) and regions of native bush (Kulnura).

The council area is bounded

• North by the City of Lake Macquarie, the boundary running along the southern shore of Lake Macquarie, then through Wyee and then North-West between Lemon Tree and Cooranbong.
• West by City of Cessnock.
• South by City of Gosford, the boundary running Bateau Bay and Forresters Beach, through Tumbi Umbi, Holgate, Lisarow, Somersby and Kulnura,
• East by the Tasman Sea

History

1889 saw the opening of the railway from Sydney to Newcastle, and Wyong turning into a proper township with the opening of the Royal Hotel and the first post office was established. The railway was the making of the timber industry. In its heyday, around the turn of the century, Wyong exported thousands of railway sleepers. In 1903 the Lighthouse at Norah Head was built and the first few houses began to appear at The Entrance. Already early tourists were making the trip to Tuggerah Lakes – by boat, horse-drawn vehicle and train – to take advantage of fishing and walking opportunities in the area, and the population of the Shire grew over time. Roads, bridges and boarding houses were built. In 1947, Wyong Shire was created out of the old Erina Shire.

Attractions

Do you have childhood memories of holidaying at The Entrance, Toukley or Budgewoi?

For many Australians, it was almost a rite of passage: summer days spent in rented beach homes or camping by the lakeside; walking Long Jetty in the evenings; paddling at Canton Beach; or trying your hand at fishing or prawning.

Wyong Shire has long been a drawcard for tourists, a quiet area framed by mountains and a scenic coastline, yet only a short drive from the suburbs and international airports of Sydney and Newcastle.

Each summer, holiday makers dramatically boost the population as they join local residents in savouring the various attractions of Wyong Shire.

Take a look at the Central Coast Tourism website to view information about accomodation, tours, special offers and things to do.

The Entrance peninsula

This well known area, based around the mouth of Tuggerah Lakes, is a good location for working, living and playing.

See its many attractions and popular events

For walkers, the Wyrrabalong National Park contains both tracks and picnic areas and stunning coastal views.

Wyong Shire Council operates the Toowoon Bay Holiday Park, which has a striking location overlooking one of the district’s most eye-catching surfing beaches.

The Entrance peninsula also contains modern shopping, sporting, leisure, cultural and community facilities, including the colourful and ever-popular Vera’s Watergarden children’s attraction, in the heart of the Central Business District of The Entrance.

Toukley and Budgewoi

These ever-popular centres boast a water wonderland of lakes and beaches, setting off first class infrastructure and community services.  See some of the many attractions and events. Toukley is linked to its western neighbour, Gorokan, by the Wallarah Point Bridge.

Norah Head lighthouse is one of the best known attractions of the area.  Standing like a silent sentry above rugged cliffs, the 107 year old structure was the last manned lighthouse to be built in NSW. Read about its history and tours.

Wyong Shire Council operates the Canton Beach Holiday Park by Tuggerah Lakes at Toukley, the Norah Head Holiday Park in one of the area’s most popular coastal settings and the Budgewoi Holiday Park. The Munmorah State Conservation Area contains 12 kilometres of stunning coastline and is ideal for walking and camping

Wyong

The administrative centre of Wyong Shire, this town is ideally located for exploring the area, with the lush Yarramalong and Dooralong valleys to the west and short drives to the various coastal attractions.  The Pacific Highway passes through the town and it is close to the F-3 Sydney -to-Newcastle freeway.

A former timber-cutting and farming village, Wyong grew quickly after arrival of the railway line between Sydney and Newcastle.  The town still boasts fine examples of colonial architecture, mixed with modern facilities.

A must for history buffs is  Alison Homestead museum, which dates to about 1875 and is the oldest home in the area.

Wyong State Forest covers about 730 hectares.

Southern Lake Macquarie

Australia’s biggest coastal lake graces the northern reaches of Wyong Shire.

More than four times the size of Sydney Harbour, Lake Macquarie is an impressive waterway.

From sheltered sandy coves to sun-drenched beaches, the lake’s foreshore is ideal for peaceful strolls, swimming and boating.

The area is also ideal for fishing,  waterskiing, hiking, horse riding and much more.

Thriving towns and villages line the shores of Lake Macquarie and the waterway is popular for holiday homes.

Watagan mountains

In the hinterland west of Lake Macquarie is the popular Watagan mountain range.

The Watagans boast many  walking trails through national parkland and attract lots of bushwalkers from the Central Coast and beyond.

Walkers can view spectacular  waterfalls, rainforests, mossy walls and eye-catching rock formations.

Several trails start at The Pines camping area; another takes in Boarding House dam; and yet another leads to the spectacular views of Muirs Lookout.

The Watagans National Park almost 8,000 hectares and borders several reserves, including the Watagan State Forest.

Wyong valleys

The Yarramalong and Dooralong valleys, inland from Wyong, contain lush pastures, grazing properties, turn farms and  rural views.

Yarramalong is an Aboriginal word for ‘the place of cedar’.  Its European history dates to the 1850’s and the area is about a 20 minute drive west of Wyong.

Dooralong Valley is a nature lover’s paradise with equally green countryside, state forests and national parks surrounded by rolling hills and secluded valleys.

Further north is the Mandalong Valley, another striking rural area.

info resourced from http://www.wyong.nsw.gov.au, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki